MovieChat Forums > Hitori musuko (1987) Discussion > the song at the end of the movie

the song at the end of the movie


I think the song at the end of the movie was Old Black Joe or Poor Old Joe is an American parlor song composed by Stephen Foster (1826-1864) in 1860. According to Wikipedia, a popular version was recorded in the 1930's so that would make sense. It is a sad song which fits with the ending. Other critics thought it was a light song that didn't seem to it but it does fit exactly.

Any thoughts by other viewers?

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"Old Black Joe," like many of Foster's songs, sentimentalizes the slave system of the American South, less so perhaps in this case, as the text of the song indicates that Joe, the slave, welcomes death and feels that he is being called to it by his workmates who have predeceased him. However, he is old, has worked and endured many years, and the voices calling him are "gentle." It is a song of resignation to one's fate and acceptance of death, but also of the life Joe has lived, in that he can perceive the inducement to leave it as "gentle," rather than impassioned or embittered. The parallel with the mother in this film is obvious, especially as her last line is to the effect that now that she has seen how her son has turned out, she can die happy, although very likely without the irony we see in the film, where her sentiments when addressed to her workmate sound almost self-congratulatory, while when she goes off by herself, the viewer sees her disappointment (and the even deeper irony that just as she is giving up on him, he is taking fresh resolve, although who knows how far that will get him?). I think the song captures the tone of the film perfectly, as the mother has rendered herself a virtual slave, with no guarantee from "the system" or from her son that any result worthy of her sacrifice will be forthcoming. Yet she has done this out of love; she, like Joe, has embraced her life, such as it has been, and can take comfort in her sacrifice, however pathetic the result.

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Wonderful analysis, mfsebastian. Thank you.

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A song at the end ?
The is no staff roll at the end, no song.
The credits are shown at the start of the film, so the end is just the OWARI sign and it only lasts about two seconds.

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I didn't hear a song either.

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